Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-05-14

BEAUVoIR, HOME OF JEFFERs ON DAVIS.
As the hour for the arrival Of the train
for New Orleans approached some people of
the neighborhood gathered at the station, and
| heard references to the revival of the old
war controversy about the ultimate Confed-
crate repulse at Shil N, which has long ago
resulted i'll complete enlargement between
Gen. Beauregard and Mr. Davis, whose opin-
on seems to be that the loss of the battle was
he fault of Beauregard and that Confeder-
te victory would have been assured but for
ne death of Albert Sydney Johnston during
ne first days fighting. An incidental re-
mark upon this subject in Mr. Davis speech
It the unveiling of the Johnston statue has
brought out defense from Gen. Beauregard
md a rejoinder from Mr. Davis and Col.
William Preston Johnston, the son of Albert
sydney, and the southern papers will proba-
Iiy be filled for weeks with consequent war
literature
1 saw Jefferson Davis the day after my
visit to Beauvoir in the office Of his friend
Mr.. Payne. Undoubtedly his strong consti-
tuition and stubborn vitality show the en-
croachments of time, but tall, slender and
rect, with remnant of the military rigidity
If bearing of his younger manhood, he still
loops less under the weight of his crowding
ears than most men of his advanced age
is white, thin hair and beard have long
nee lost the trace of gray, the veins stand
ut under the shrunken and splotching skin
Il the slender hands, the thin sharp features
IF the aquiline profile seem to stretch the
fading complexion as the bridge of violin
stretches the strings. The chest is sunken
md the shoulders rounded, adding something
% the slight stoop of the tall figure as it
crosses the floor with rather feeble step, but
without the assistance Of a cane. He
Straightens himself with alert dignity as his
visitor is presented and bows with old military
precision. He expresses cordial regret at his
absence from Beauvoir at the time of my
visit, AMI responds with a wintry smile in
lis still keen eyes to my FASTENED assurance
hat l am not charged with an interview.
THAT is a process that never submit to
under any circumstances, though some write
just as though had done So"
"They imagine some things, supposer
al hat depends a good deal on what latitude
they come from, l fancy"
We talked five or ten minutes upon insig-
nificant themes, Mr.. Davis conversing with
gentle and courteous interest He reminded
ne once that he was slightly deaf. He re-
allied an anecdote of Sheridan the Irish wit
md statesman, not the Federal general in
connection with the unfortunate predicament
If Judge Fenner, of the supreme court of
Louisiana, upon the interruption of his ad-
tress at the unwilling of the Lee monument
New Orleans two years ago by the terrific
storm, which stopped the ceremonies and dis
ersed the immense crowd. 1t was suggested
nat the address be postponed till next day.
impossible" replied Judge Fenner; at has
'een in print for hours" 1t was delivered
nat night 10 few of the faithful and read
ext morning by the multitude.
Mr.. Davis expressed regret at his inability
make Improvements at Beauvoir, but
seemed TO sensltlvely avoid the subject of his
accession to that property through the tesla
m, ntary beque~t of Mrs. Dorsey, though /
believe there were such connections between
,He families of Mr.. Davis and that lady as to
make that bequest as much a business of |
blood as OF benefaction. At any rate there
Is small precedent among American public |
men of recent days for such feeling.
But it was not alone i'll this that observed
4 disposition to sensitiveness in Mr.. Davis. |
He is the first public man ever saw who ex- !
hi5ited any conscious embarrassment in |
avoiding topics which they had rather not |
discuss with representatives of the press.
They all seem prompt and unrufled in such |
avoidance, but though Mr.. Davis showed tact |
enough in this direction in the words with
which he steered clear of all sectional. politi- |
cal or personal expressions, and though | am |
quite sure that was not impertinently insist
~, yet T. n more than one such occasion.